Meet Shannon: Our New Model

We announced a while back that the gorgeous Shannon would be featuring in a campaign for Principles by Ben de Lisi and you can see how it came about and watch some behind-the-scenes footage on Gok Wan’s How to Look Good Naked… with a difference.

This 3-part special of Gok’s popular TV show sees Gok meet three disabled women with zero body confidence. “Gok turns out every trick in his book, as well as learning a few new ones, to try to get these women to see just how gorgeous they are. ”

Our PR manager for womenswear and Head of Creative are featured on the show to launch the campaign which sees disability represented on the high street and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a positive step in the right direction.

The next show featuring Shannon is scheduled for 1 September and will show the unveiling of the campaign. Remember to tune in…

Following on from your fabulously positive comments about our size 16 mannequins, we’re proud to have become the first high street retailer to use disabled models in campaign photography.

After being approached by Nikki Fox and Natasha Wood, disability campaigners and presenters of How to Look Good Naked, with a Difference, Shannon Murray, who has been a wheelchair user since breaking her neck in her teens, will appear in photography in Debenhams store windows.

The gorgeous Shannon joins three other models, Kate Fullman, a size 16 model, Tess Montgomery, a petite 5”4 model and Tokumbo Daniel, a size 10 model, to appear in imagery for the Principles by Ben de Lisi range which starts at size 8 and goes up to size 20 with a petite range too.

This isn’t just a one-off either. We’re committed to using disabled models in other photography with a second photo shoot already organised. You’ll be able to see the images in Debenhams Glasgow, Guildford, Oxford Street and Nottingham branches and we hope to add more stores soon.

Models, Shannon, Kate and Tess

What people are saying…

Shannon Murray, model: “I think this is a fabulous step forward by Debenhams and I’m proud to be part of such a big move towards positive representation of disability in high street fashion.”

Ben de Lisi, Principles by Ben de Lisi designer: “Every woman deserves to look good and feel special- which is why there are styles to suit, fit and flatter every body shape in the new Principles range. I think that Shannon looks amazing.”

Gok Wan, How to Look Good Naked, with a Difference presenter: “Debenhams is pushing the boundaries by producing the first ever disabled fashion campaign in conjunction with How To Look Good Naked and I hope that one day disabilities will be recognised by every chain in the high street.”

Nikki Fox, disability campaigner and presenter: “I am so happy and proud that Debenhams has used our disabled model for such a massive campaign. If seeing Shannon helps another disabled person, then we’ve done well.”

Michael Sharp, Debenhams’ Deputy Chief Executive: “We cater for women of all shapes and sizes, young and old, non-disabled and disabled so we wanted our windows to reflect this choice. When Nikki and Natasha approached us with the idea, we didn’t have to think twice. We only wished we had done it sooner”